HURST-EULESS-BEDFORD I.S.D.
CHEERLEADINGGUIDELINES
PHILOSOPHY
The philosophy of Hurst-Euless-Bedford I.S.D. cheerleading program is to promote school spirit
and to provide students an opportunity to develop and increase leadership skills, high ethical
standards, rhythm and coordination skills, team cooperation, individual self-esteem, and self-
confidence.
Participation in the HEB ISD cheerleading program carries both a significant time and financial commitment. Each cheerleader is expected to meet all financial responsibilities identified by their specific campus. Dedication to, and the prioritization of, cheerleading is obligatory from all cheerleaders to meet the objectives of this program. Candidates selected to be a member of the cheerleading squad are expected to maintain their commitment to the activity for the full cheerleading year. Prior to making commitments to be involved in other school activities, cheerleaders should carefully consider specific program requirements, as in involvement in other activities may cause participation and time conflicts with cheerleading duties. Any cheerleader who voluntarily quits the squad before the end of the cheerleading year without the approval of the principal and coach will not be allowed to try-out for the next year on any HEB ISD campus.
ADMINISTRATIVE/COACHESCHEERLEADING OBJECTIVES:
A) Promote and maintain school spirit and sportsmanship by supporting school
activities.
B)Conduct a cheerleading program that achieves educational objectives and upholds the
highest ideals of sportsmanship.
C) Promote good sportsmanship between schools at all times.
D)Develop individual responsibility while maintaining high moral standards.
E)Develop leadership skills that promote a positive influence between community and
school relations.
F)Provide careful supervision and adequate training for cheerleaders participating in the program.
G)Administer a program that minimizes loss of school time and promotes a balanced perspective of cheerleading activities.
H)Provide qualified faculty leadership that understands the objectives of this program and
emphasizes the safety and welfare of the students.
I) Foster respect for authority and acceptable behavior.
J)Provide objectives, guidelines, constitution and codes for the cheerleaders.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
A)Cheerleaders are to follow the National Federation Cheerleading Rules. A rulebook will be sent to each junior high and high school cheerleading director.
B)All cheerleaders are to be full-time students on their campuses as defined by the University Interscholastic League (UIL) and school district policies. A student will be enrolled in a minimum of four classes per trimester or a minimum of six classes per semester to be eligible for cheerleading activities. Correspondence courses will not count.
C)When wearing the school-approved cheerleader uniform, a student is not allowed to wear
jewelry. Cheerleaders must also have his/her hair pulled back: shoulder length or longer in a ponytail; shorter hair pulled out of face. Fingernails, including artificial nails, shall be kept at a length appropriate for safe participation. Cheerleaders in uniform will not be allowed to chew gum during school sponsored activities.
D)Students may perform one day after school Monday through Thursday except during
tournaments and play-off games (UIL rule). Cheerleaders will not be permitted to perform unless the cheer director or an adult school designee is present and supervising. When there is an adult school designee supervising, that designee must have the cheerleaders medical release form with them and there will be no stunting or tumbling permitted.
E) Junior High cheerleaders shall provide and be responsible for their own transportation to and from games. High school cheerleaders may be transported via HEB-ISD approved bus.
F)Junior high cheerleading squads may, but are not required to, cheer at football or basketball games outside the HEB District. All district games take priority over out of district games.
G)Yearly required financial expenditures, including camp and competition, should not exceed $1,400.00 for high school and $1,100.00 for junior high cheerleaders. These expenditures do not include National Competition. No school district funds may be used for National Competition.
H)Some of the uniforms will not be purchased through the schools. Uniforms may be ordered directly by the parents and students through the cheerleading and drill team uniform supply companies and must be paid for at the time of the order.
I)Camp fees are to be paid in full before a cheerleader is allowed to go to summer camp. Summer camp is a district requirement for each HEB-ISD cheerleader.
J)The building principal, prior to the activity, must approve all cheerleading activities.
K)University Interscholastic League Rules state that students who are ineligible to
compete or are unable to perform for grade violationsmay not wear any part of the team uniform outside the school day.
GENERAL GUIDELINES (Continued)
L)Cheerleaders who miss more than three academic classes in junior high and two academic classes in high school in a single day will not be allowed to attend practice or perform at any scheduled event that day.
M)Cheerleaders will not be permitted to perform stunts during volleyball or basketball games on the sidelines while pay is in motion.
N)No megaphones or noise makers will be used in the gymnasium during volleyball or basketball games.
O) During football games when a play is in motion, there will be no stunts performed on the sidelines.
P)The cheerleading year is defined from tryout to tryout.
CHEERLEADER RESPONSIBILITIES
A) Promote school spirit.
B) Work directly with the other organizations in promoting school spirit.
C) Be responsible, cooperative, and adhere to school rules and spirit team guidelines.
D) Maintain a scholastic grade of 70 or above in every class. Any student receiving an
individual grade lower than 70 (F) is ineligible and will be suspended for three weeks.
- Suspensionmeans no participation in spirit team activities after school hours or pep
assemblies.
- Participation is prohibited in extra- curricular activities when a student's grade falls
below a 70 in any class according to the "No Pass - No Play Rule"(state law).
- A student's grade suspension is lifted at the end of the three weeks provided the student has improved his or her grades to 70 or above in all classes.
- A student on academic probation is not allowed to ride the bus; if they choose to attend the game, they are to be in required attire and sit in the designated area.
E) Attend practices scheduled by the cheerleader director and attend summer camp.
F) Notify cheerleader coach ahead of time, if possible, of any absence from practice. The
following are excused absences: personal illness, injury, funeral or death in the family,
special school activities with director prior notification, and religious holidays. All
other reasons for being absent will be unexcused. Written notices must be received by
cheerleader director no later than the second day a member returns following an absence.
If the excuse is not received the second day, the absence will be unexcused.
G) Be on time and prepared to participate in all scheduled cheerleading practice sessions and scheduled events.
CHEERLEADER RESPONSIBILITIES (Continued)
H) Participate in all cheerleader sponsored fund raising activities.
I) Promote good sportsmanship.
J) Perform at all school events scheduled by the cheerleadercoach.
K)Exhibit high moral standards and abstain from tobacco, illegal drugs, and alcoholic beverages at all times.
L) Maintain good physical condition by proper stretching, exercise, and nutrition.
PROBATION, SUSPENSION, and/or DISMISSAL
from
HEB-ISD CHEERLEADING
A. Cheerleaders must be responsible, cooperative, and adhere to school policies and
regulations. Cheerleaders are first and foremost representatives of their school community and must exemplify appropriate behavior at all times. Misconduct is to be
addressed by the cheer coach. Consideration for dismissal is determined by the Cheer Coach, Campus Principal, and Spirit Coordinator.
B. Probation, Suspension, and Dismissal of Students Holding an Elective Office: students holding an elected/selected office shall be subject to being placed on probation, suspension, or dismissal from such elected/selected office. As used in this policy, the words probation, suspension, and dismissal shall mean the following:
1. "Probation" shall mean continued participation in cheerleading activities on a trial basis;
2. "Suspension" shall mean no participation in cheerleading activities after school hours or at pep assemblies but must attend activities in required attire and sit in designated area. (see Academic suspension for exception)
3. "Dismissal" shall mean relieved of all recognition and duties of a cheerleader for the remainder of the cheerleading season.
C. The standard for scholastic eligibility shall be that all individual grades be 70 or higher
for each six weeks. Individual grades lower than 70 means a student will be
suspended from cheerleading participation in pep assemblies and activities which occur after school for three weeks. The "no pass-no play" rule is a state law.
D. Any unsatisfactory conduct report or discipline problems may result in probation,
suspension or dismissal.
E. Any cheerleader not in compliance with the District Student Code of Conduct; campus policies, rules, regulations and directives; or cheerleading guidelines are subject to suspension or dismissal from his/her elected office without resort to probation.
F. Reasons for dismissal include, but are not limited to:
- Offenses involving possession, use or sale of alcohol, tobacco or drugs.
- Offenses involving possession, use or sale of drug paraphernalia.
- Offenses involving inappropriate language, pictures or bullying on social media sites or via technology.
- Offenses resulting in assignment to Alternative Education Program, Crossroads, SOS, or expulsion from school.
- Second suspension will result in dismissal from the cheerleading squad.
- A subsequent six-week grade violation below a 70 in any class will result in dismissal from the squad.
- Criminal activity on or off campus that is documented by police record.
CHEERLEADING INSURANCE AND WELFARE
A. Cheerleaders are urged to have verification of school student accident insurance or family insurance coverage before they participate in cheerleading or drill team try-outs.
B. Upon election to a cheerleading squad, cheerleaders must have a physical examination by a licensed physician. A school form, which must be completed and signed by a physician,
will be kept on file. The physical examination will follow UIL requirements.
C. Each year cheerleaders and their parents or guardians must sign a written statement
provided by the cheerleading coaches which acknowledges that some cheerleading
activities could be dangerous and result in personal injury. This statement must also
be kept on file.
D.Cheerleadingcoaches or an adult school designee must be present with the cheerleaders at all practice sessions and other events scheduled by the cheercoaches.
CHEERLEADING ATTENDANCE POLICY
A. Cheerleaders shall attend all scheduled practices and scheduled events determined by the cheer coach. Cheerleaders will not be permitted to participate in any after school practices or scheduled events if they have not been present in more than three academic classes in junior high or two academic classes in high school.
B.Cheerleaders are to notify the cheercoach ahead of time, if possible, any time they will be absent from a scheduled practice or scheduled event. Personal illness or personal injury, a funeral or death in the family, special school activities with prior notification given to the cheer director, and religious holidays will be excused absences. All other reasons for not being present will be considered unexcused.
C. Written notice must be received by the cheer director no later than the second day a
member returns following an absence. If written notice is not received the second
day, the absence will become unexcused. If an absence from a required performance is
unexcused, the cheerleader will be subject to discipline as outlined in the campus
constitution. Excessive excused absences without a doctor’s note may result in
suspension. Excessive is defined as more than ten absences from election to election.